Rishabh Pant, who was involved in a horrifying car crash in December 2022, is on track to make his comeback to cricket during the 2024 edition of IPL, slated to start on March 22.

Notably, Pant tore all three key ligaments in his right knee and had three successful reconstructive surgeries in the aftermath of the near-fatal accident.

Subsequently, the wicketkeeper-batter underwent an extended rehabilitation at the NCA and missed out on all the action last year, including the IPL, WTC final, Asia Cup and World Cup.

With less than a month remaining for the IPL 2024, batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has warned against rushing Rishabh Pant back into action.

"He certainly has the ability to think on his feet. If he gets back to full fitness, the reins of (Delhi Capitals) captaincy should be handed over to him. Let's stay hopeful. This season is the first of him coming back to full fitness. Let's not rush him into doing something that there will be a setback. Knee plays a pivotal role in batting as well as keeping -- which, of course, he may not do initially. Maybe he won't be the usual Rishabh Pant that we are used to seeing," Gavaskar told Star Sports.

Gavaskar went on to say that it will take some time for Pant to get batting fluency as the latter has been out of action for the last 14 months.

However, the cricketer-turned-commentator praised the southpaw for resuming training ahead of the upcoming IPL.

"I'm also a big fan of him. For me the most important thing, is he should be healthy like before, so that he can come and entertain us. It will be very difficult for him and it will take some time for him to get that batting fluency. But good that he has started training," Gavaskar remarked.

Rishabh Pant was last seen in action during the tour of Bangladesh in December 2022. Mirpur Test against Bangladesh was his last appearance before he met with the accident.

Delhi Capitals’ IPL 2024 opener against the Punjab Kings in Mohali on March 23 might mark his return to competitive action.